Just as the summer temperatures rise, so do pant hem lines. But why invest in new bottoms for every season when you can temporarily crop your winter pants in just a few simple steps.
I am a HUGE fan of shopping my closet. I love finding new ways to wear and style my clothes. When I saw all the cropped wide leg pants and jeans popping up this summer, I knew I could recreate that look with clothes I already had. With my sewing machine and iron in hand, I was able to temporarily hem two pairs of my pants in minutes. And with this simple technique, I was still able to keep the original hem line (which always gives a polished and finished look). Learn how you can temporarily crop your pants for summer.
Supplies You’ll Need
- sewing pins or safety pins
- measuring tape
- sewing machine
- thread that matches the color of your pants
- iron
How to Hem
Step 1:
Put on your “to-be-hemmed” pants. Fold the cuff up to your desired pant length. Use the pins to mark the new length.
Step 2:
Take off your pants and measure the cuff (not counting the original hem line). In this case, my hem is just about at 2 inches.
Step 3:
Divide this measurement in half (for me it will be 1 inch). Fold up the hem to this new measurement and pin it in place.
Step 4:
Using your sewing machine and matching thread, sew a straight stitch completely around the pant leg. Stay as close as possible to the existing hem line. Overlap your stitching by 1/4 inch to secure your new hem.
Step 5:
Fold the hem down. Iron down the seam and your new cuff. (Trick: if you don’t have an iron, a flat iron or hair straightener also works)
That’s it! Such a quick and easy way to temporarily crop your pants for summer and upcycle clothes you already own. And when cold weather rolls around, just use a seam ripper to take out the stitches and restore your pants to the original length. This technique also works great for hemming kids pants so they can be worn again after a growth spurt.
Let me know in the comments below if this sounds like a project you would like to try! And click here to find more DIY’s and tutorials from With A Touch of Luxe.
